Trying to get back to normal

Another week of recovery. Dirk has an appointment next week at the BMT on Tuesday.

He is dealing with nausea but is just pushing forward. Today was a good day.

He's been trying to increase his work time at home.

One Week Later

I

Here we are at the BMT Clinic. Another visit in a week and the next visit will be in 100 days . They are checking blood counts and will be removing the central line today if everything looks good.

So everything looks good so we are waiting for Dirk's turn to have the Central Line removed . His head was cold so he is taking a snooze with his hat on.

We received a lot of good information today. The BMT team are amazing.

Dirk is hanging in there. His energy level is low and muscle strength is poor but he keeps going one step at a time.

Good news is Dirk's computer was re

paired so he was able to do some work from home.

It's been a week of rest, dealing with nausea, little bit of church work, and even a matinee movie, Saratov,(that was an excellent movie)

Hard to Hold a Good Man Down

Today Dirk started his day with a 7:00 AM meeting. I saw him at sacrament meeting then he didn't come home till around 3:30 PM. Pretty amazing considering he just came home Thursday afternoon.

Tomorrow afternoon Dirk meets with a heart dr. If all goes well with the blood results, on Thursday Dirk will have his central line pulled and meet a final time at the BMT clinic. That was fast! The cancer dr. will take the reins after all that! Whew! That was a lot to take in!

No Place Like Home

Dirk came home late Thursday afternoon. You know he was glad to be out of the hospital when the first thing he wanted to do is go shopping. We went to Deseret Book and Office Max. It was so fun to shop with him. Prior to his hospital, stay shopping together was rare.

It is so wonderful to have Dirk home. He's thankful to sleep in his own bed.

Friday didn't start out too well. We were getting his meds organized and he was preparing to do some work from home. He had his lap top on the kitchen table and unfortunately a glass of water spilled on it. That ended any attempt to work (quite frustrating!!)

We ended up taking his lap top into his work to see if they could fix it. On the way home, we visited with Mom Campbell. She was thrilled to see Dirk looking so good and looking so happy.

Dirk seems like he's having a lot of trouble with his stomach today. He patiently endures.

We went up to Mom and Dad Horton's. Dirk looked at Dad's computer. He is doing some work for him.

Dirk also spent some time working on church work.

I went through papers and spent some time getting the yard winterized: cut both lawns, raked leaves, put tools, hoses, bikes, and the wheel barrel in the shed. Feels good to be ready for the season change.

Taylor Higbee and Camille and Terry Smith stopped by for visits. Camille and Terry brought Dirk a U.of U. stocking hat. Dirk was actually listening to the game when they came by (too bad Utah lost by 1 point to a team that wasn't that good!)

Dirk is planning on going to church tomorrow. He has great faith.

Oh Happy Day!

Today is a wonderful day! We are just waiting for the pharmacist to talk to us and his central line cleaned and then we'll be headed home!! Dirk had a text book experience with his stem cell gathering, chemo, transplant, and transfusions.

Thanks to family and ward family for your faith and prayers.

Dirk will continue his healing at home. He will need to take great care not to be around people who are sick and have lots of hand washing. He is looking forward to the comforts of home.

Doesn't Dirk look handsome in his new hat!? Thanks, Ashman family!

On hold

Waiting for 500. Dirk has had a little more nausea the last couple of days. (Part of the experience)

Mom and Dad Horton, Connie and Robert, and Brian Thaxton came by for a visit. Dirk's even been doing a little work in the hospital.

I can hardly wait to get Dirk home!

Hundred to go

Good day for neutrophil! Count is 400. Looks like Dirk should be headed home in the next day or so.

Quite an amazing path of gathering . Chemo, transplant, and recovery.

Dirk is being watched over.

Status Quo

The numbers are the same as yesterday. Dirk needs 500 Neutropfils before he can go home. That's the count of a type of white blood cell that fights infection. His current count us 200.

Anna, Sueann, Mom and Dad Horton all stopped  by to visit .

Dirk is receiving wonderful care . He is really being blessed.

Getting Close

Counts are going up! Dr. said might be going home Tues. or Weds.

Dirk enjoyed visits with family. Nathan came into town for a visit.  President Brown and Debbie came for a visit tonight.

Great day! Dirk looks pretty dapper in his new hat! Thanks, Ashman Family!

Progress

So yesterday Dirk had 2 red blood cell transfusions. The Dr.'s and staff are happy with his progress.

He had a nice visit with Bryon Goodwin. He brought pizza and Italian soda. 

The lunch was a welcome change.

We also had our carpets cleaned to get ready for Dirk's coming home. Thanks Jared for making the arrangements .

Today Dirk was told that his white blood cell count is slightly up. This is good news!!!

Eryn and Barry Fitch came to visit and brought Dirk a yummy sandwich today.

Thanks for sharing your Saturday with Dirk.

Tonight Nathan is flying in to visit with Dirk . We have a pretty awesome family and friends!

Dirk is really being blessed.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! Dr. Peterson had good news for Dirk. He said Dirk's stem cells should start kicking in 3-4 days.

Dirk had another platelet transfusion today. He is working hard to get stronger . Mom and Dad Horton, Terry and Camille Smith , Doug Burnett came by to visit. 

Hum drum of getting better

Everything is the same today. To help with muscle strength they brought an exercise bike into Dirk's room.

He's looking for a Reese's peanut butter cups. Maybe a trick or treater will share one.  

Sounds like another platelet transfusion tomorrow. They are keeping close watch.

Another World Series game goes to the Red Sox.

Platelet Transfusion Day

Platelet transfusion day! This helps with clotting. A normal person has 200,000-350,000.  (Dirk has 15,000 ) Dirk received help with physical therapy today to help him keep muscle strength.

Dirk needs to eat and drink more. He can drink boost a 3-4 times a day and be good. Thanks to Mom and Dad Horton,

Judy and Taylor for your visits. Good to visit with Don Corum and Bill Garber.

Cafe Rio hit the spot tonight! Mmmmm

One day closer to feeling better

Dirk said, "different day, same drill"

Sue Ann and Anna came by to visit.

Thanks to all for your love and support. Bruce Horton called and Rachel and children visited FaceTime .

Hope all goes well for Adam Bryner. Have a safe trip. Keeping you all in our prayers.

Dr. Peterson saves his best patients for last

Just had a nice visit with Dr. Peterson. He said he saves his best patients for last. This is good news. Dr. Peterson said he was happy with Dirk 's progress . The next few days are important.  When his blood level reaches a certain point they will give him a transfusion of red blood cells. He has no white blood cells. He needs to be really careful. He said in 5-6 days the stem cells should start attaching to the bone marrow .

Thanks for all your prayers,service thoughts, cards and visits. Anna,

Connie ,Robert, Andrea and Ryan Davis all came to visit. It all means so much to us.

Dirk is being blessed.

More of the same

As Dirk said, "more of the same getting weaker". This is a good thing and also a process. When the blood levels drop low enough the transplanted cells will attach to the bone marrow and start maturing. When the stem cells are mature Dirk will start feeling better.

Thanks for your visits Peter and Angela and Garth and Sharon!

Waiting game

As Dirk said it is a waiting game. Going per schedule.  Prayers and well wishes mean a lot.

Looking for a time machine

Looking for a way to speed up time . Dr. said by Halloween Dirk should start feeling better.

It was an ok day, feeling weaker and that's ok. (It's par for the course)

Mom and Dad Horton and Mike and Mary Ann Carter and Anna stopped by for a visit.

Thanks!

The good news for today!

The Dr. told Dirk that he is doing well as his patient. Tonight the nurse said he was one of her easy patients. Good news!

Hanging with Dad

I spent the afternoon with Dad. It was great to be with him. We chatted a bit and watched a little Jag.

I asked him what the update was for today's post on the blog. He said, "maintaining status quo and not getting too sick while we wait for mother nature to take it's course... days of survival."

Not much tastes good these days to him. He asked me to pick him up a lemonade. I was grateful to find this lemon Italian soda and even more grateful that he like it.

My afternoon with Pops went by too fast. Can't wait to visit him again. I love being around him, his courage is inspiring. Love my Daddy.

-Rachel

The Journey Continues

Well from the sounds of things the Chemo is kicking in. Dirk is feeling the effects. Food is not as interesting .

Thanks for your visits Anna, Mom and Dad Horton, Sueann and Bruce, Karen and Scott, Scott Hanson, Brother Burns, John and Marinda. Thanks to Rachel for her visit and lemonade. Many thanks to the many who are praying  for Dirk, for all the cards, books, the paper flower bouquet from Sister Jeff's class, and wrist bands for the whole ward! Thanks Mike and Mary Ann! Your love and support mean so much.

Stem Cell Transplant: Day Two

We are waiting for the transplant. Dirk is pretty tired today. This is normal for what he is experiencing. He is enjoying some rest and music before the transplant .

11:15 a.m.

Rock and roll! It's one o'clock they started the transplant! Seems to be going well. Two bags down and seven to go.

Almost 2:00 and 2 bags to go. Transplant is going well.

Happy Birthday new stem cells!! He finished up about 2:30pm. Went great with just a little trouble at the end. 

He is hanging in there. Feeling effects of two days stem cells and chemo.

Stem Cell Transplant: Day One

Let the stem cell transplant begin! They started around noon. Nine bags of stem cells. Bag one almost gone. 

The transplant went well. (Finished around 1:10pm)

Today is Dirk's birthday. It is the birth of Dirk's stem cells. They even brought in a cake to celebrate and wished him a Happy Birthday.

Done with second dose of chemo

Done with chemo ! It went smoothly .

Lots of IV fluid keeping Dirk busy.

So far so good. He's feeling good.

Day of rest tomorrow.

Monday and Tuesday are transplant days.

One day closer to recovery.

Thanks for the visit Mom and Dad Horton and Sueann and Bruce.

Day One Chemotherapy

Thanks to family and friends for all the birthday cards and gifts to honor Dirk on his birthday!  It was a memorable day!

So we are in the hospital and it's pretty quiet. Sounds like the IV  won't start until noonish. Dad is working on the computer. He had a good night's sleep.

He will have chemo today and tomorrow.

They started the IV started about 3:30 pm .

"Ready as I 'll ever be" was Dirk's response when I asked him about his chemo. It is supposed to start at 4:00 pm

and take only 30 mins. It's been a day of waiting.

The waiting is over. They started chemo at 4:12pm . He is sucking on ice to minimize sores in his mouth later.

Day one of chemo is over!! It only took 20 minutes! It went really well. They tell us usually 7 days later is when the fun begins.

Happy Birthday Dirk!

Happy Birthday Dirk ! Celebrating life by doing all he can to save life. It's been quite a day. We've been given a lot of information about Chemo and the Stem Cell Transplant. Some of the information is sombering. We feel peaceful and confident this is what needs to happen.

Transplant Date

As it stands my transplant treatment begins October 18th.  From what I understand that means chemo on the 18th and 19th, nothing on the 20th and stem cell transplant on the 21st.  

Stay tuned ...

Stem Cell Collection - Day 3

Day three of gathering is done.  I don't know the final count.  With that said, the count is sufficient.  I'm going home.  

Next phase - chemo and transplant.

Day Three Gathering

Dirk said today is going better than yesterday. He should be done in about 30 minutes. Yesterday when the process was over his arms and hands were impacted.

Up at LDS Hospital we have the green light to take Dirk home. All said and done everything went well.

Stem Cell Collection - Day 2

Stem cell collection went from 8:30 am at 12:30 pm today.  It's hard being nailed to a bed for four hours.  During this time today I experienced a little calcium inbalance.  My arm muscles were impacted considerably - to the point that they felt paralyzed.  Fortunately, the condition was temporary.  

It's now 6:00 pm and I'm still waiting for today's harvest count.  Yesterday the count was 1.9 million stem cells harvested.  The goal is between 5 and 10 million.

The technology that I am experiencing is amazing.  The hospital staff is top of the line and very caring.

Thanks to all for your prayers and best wishes.

Day Two Stem Cell Gathering

Day two for stem cell gathering has come and almost gone. Just spoke with Dirk he said it has gone well today. Should be done around 12:30 pm. What a blessing.

Thanks for all your prayers.

As Dirk said sweet, smooth, and uneventful. All done.

First Day of Gathering

Rock and Roll ! It's a go ! We are in a room waiting for the person from the Red Cross to come and start the gathering . Will keep everyone posted.  

He is about half way through the first day of gathering. Dirk kept them busy when they first started the gathering. He is doing great now. The heart team is on board and watching him close. So far so good. Bob from the Red Cross is a very kind and gentle person. He is taking great care if Dirk.

Finished collecting for today! It takes a few hours to know how the collection went.

Fourth Day Stem Cell Stimulation

This morning came early with a 7:15 am appointment. Dirk had his fourth shot and a blood draw. We will hear a little later today if Dirk will need another shot tonight. He has had some discomfort with his central line. We've been told that is part of the experience. He seems to be a little more tired. He just keeps going and moving forward

It's nice to be able to hear both sessions of General Conference. Oh what a beautiful day!

We received word Dirk has enough stem cells. We didn't have to go back for another shot this afternoon .

Tomorrow Dirk will start the next step.He has an early appointment. They will do a blood draw , another stem cell shot  and start "gathering the stem cells". He will stay in the hospital for a few days. The cancer he has puts him at risk so they are staying on the safe side .

He plans to work from the hospital . Tonight his arms are hurting some . The medicine must be working.

Day Three Stem Stimulation

Third shot went well. One more to go tomorrow . On Monday starts the stem cell gathering. Dirk plans to work from the hospital . He should be there for a few days. 

Day Two Stem Cell Stimulation

Day two of stem cell stimulation behind Dirk. One day closer to recovery! We are waiting in the recovery room. He had central line put in today. All went well. Dirk plans to go to work today.

Finally started the process

Well day one of stem cell stimulation . Dirk has a green light. Dirk had his first shot today . He is going back to work today. He will repeat the process Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Friday he is scheduled to have a central line put in. We are impressed with the care they give. Thanks for all your prayers.

He has just a small amount of fluid on his lung. This is not a problem at this time.

Unexpected Tender Mercy

Dirk and I had a wonderful tender mercy this weekend. We had a window of opportunity to drive to Albuquerque to witness Grant's baptism.

The update of Dirk's Stem Cell is that he will be in the hospital for the stem cell gathering . This came as a surprise. Starting next Monday Oct. 7th. 

Stem Cell Stimulation Coming Right Up

The news for the day is that stem cell stimulation begins October 3rd.  The central line will be inserted October 4th.  Stem cell gathering will begin October 7th or 8th.

Chemo treatment is tentatively scheduled to begin October 18th  (one day after my 60th birthday).  What a way to celebrate 60 years...

Thank you everyone for all of your prayers, well wishes and kind remembrances.

Good News

No liquid found=no lung surgery! Answer to prayers! Dirk should find out tomorrow if the stem cell transplant time will be moved up.

Waiting Game

Ever hear hurry up and wait? Dirk had x-ray today more blood tests. So now we wait.

Date for stem cell transplant

Today dr. confirmed amyloid on Dirk's lung lining. The plan is for Dirk to go back to the hospital on Monday for a lung X-ray to check the fluid on his lung.

He will have lung surgery next week and is scheduled for Oct. 4 to start stem cell stimulation.

A Day With The Lung Doctor

7:07 AM

Filling out more papers Dirk's favorite thing to do. This morning they will be taking fluid off his lungs and then they will scope the inside of his lungs to determine what is going on. Thankful they are trying to get all the information regarding his health before they start the stem cell transplant.

8:50 AM

Just met the lung specialist. We feel confident Dirk is in good hands. Today they will possibly biopsy the lung and look for a slow growing infection that could be the cause of the fluid on his lungs. The amyloid could be the cause.

This being said they might have to seal the lining to the lung. This would be surgery that would require hospital stay one to three days. Dirk has a great attitude. 

11:00 AM

Just dropped Dirk off to work. The constant in life is change. That seems to be true with Drs. and health issues. No internal biopsy of the lung. We call tomorrow after 2 pm to hear the results. Enjoy the journey!

Peace along the Journey

Dirk had and x-ray of his lung just before his appointment today. Bone marrow transplant (BMT) Dr. wants Dirk to go to a lung dr.  His lung has quite a bit of fluid on it. He wants to know more of his lung condition before they start the process of the Stem Cell Transplant.

So thankful for good insurance!  

This Wednesday Dirk has an appointment for thoracentesis. (drain the fluid off his lung) and another test. BMT dr. wants to get things moving.

Tomorrow is going to come early. (7:00 am early)  It will be interesting to hear what the lung Dr. has to say.

Grandma C my hero

I look to Grandma C as an example of cheerfully enduring adversity. I am changing "fear" to "faith" and looking for the tender mercies that happen everyday. I am keeping a journal of the many tender mercies that happen each day. I know we have faith and prayers going out to our family from family and friends. Thank you for being there for us.  This gives us strength.

Let the Adventure Begin

After lots of Doctor's and tests and no answers we finally received a diagnosis for Dirk. Dr. Call, a Hematologist concluded that Dirk has a non traditional cancer, Light Chain Amyloidosis. A blood cancer that impacts the muscles.  Tomorrow Dirk meets with Dr. Hoda at the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic. We will receive information regarding his current health condition and the process of the Stem Cell Transplant.  It sounds like the pace is going to pick up.